NHTSA is taking the unusual step off issuing a public warning about sudden door openings after Ford Motor recall of almost 400,00 cars where the doors can suddenly unlatch during driving. “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises owners of affected vehicles to watch for notification from Ford and get their vehicle fixed as soon as possible,” it said.
The recall for sudden door openings affects some model year 2012-2014 Ford Fiestas, all model year 2013 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs, and some model year 2014 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs.
Two of the NHTSA warnings are:
1. If you experience difficulty getting the door to latch while attempting to close it, do not drive the vehicle, even if it appears the door has latched. Do not attempt to temporarily secure the door in a closed position (e.g., with a rope or by using the seat belt), and do not have an occupant attempt to hold the door closed while the vehicle is being driven. Be safe and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership instead.
2. If the door opens while the vehicle is in motion, pull over immediately and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. Do not attempt to re-close the door or to drive the vehicle.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
